The race is landmark based, whereby certain landmarks are identified as orientation targets to aim for.
The ’Miler’ starts on the beach followed by a right-turn at the first buoy, 50 metres offshore. The landmark to aim for is the block of flats above Moses Beach. Three buoys mark the course en route. The turning buoy is just off the rocks at First Beach. On your return swim look for the red roofed bungalow on the ridge alongside Fourth Beach. The final leg comes after the left-turn at the first buoy, where you can now sprint for the finish line on the beach.
The ’Lapper’ also starts on the beach and passes the first buoy on the left-hand side. Duiker Rocks is approximately 450 metres offshore and serves as the first landmark as you take a right-hand turn at the second buoy for the swim towards First Beach. At the third buoy you make your right-hand turn and head towards Bun Rock, a landmark that stands out in the corner of Third and Fourth Beach. The fourth buoy marks the home stretch as you line up the red roofed bungalow on the ridge and head back to the start. As you swim back to the first buoy you take a left-hand turn and make a final sprint to the finish.
PRIZES AND GIVE-AWAYS
A floating trophy is awarded to the winner and there are lucky draw prizes.
WATER QUALITY
Clifton’s Fourth Beach holds Blue Flag Status which generally ensures good water quality. The average water temperature varies typically between 14°C and 10°C making this an extreme open water timed event.
LAYOUT
Two formats are used depending on weather conditions and organiser choice. The ‘Miler’ is the preferred layout, which is an out-and-back affair from Fourth Beach with the turning buoy off the rocks at First Beach. The ‘Lapper’ is a four buoy clockwise swim from Fourth Beach.